Recently returned books were 54 years overdue

The Terrebonne Parish Library System had two books returned that were 54 years overdue. The books were returned to the Terrebonne Parish Main Library and had been checked out April 2, 1964.

Mary Cosper LeboeufTerrebonne Parish Library System

The Terrebonne Parish Library System had two books returned that were 54 years overdue. The books were returned to the Terrebonne Parish Main Library and had been checked out April 2, 1964. A daughter was cleaning out her parent's home and found the books on their book shelves. Mary Beard's “The Rise of American Civilization” and John Steinbeck's “The Grapes of Wrath” were the two overdue books. If you have overdue books, the fine is 5 cents per day and does not exceed $1 per book. Fines for DVDs, CDs, books-on-CD and books-on-tape are 50 cents per day not to exceed $5. Library materials are public property and the Library System staff really wants the material returned so other people can enjoy and use them. With the increase in digital publishing, printed material goes out of print quickly, making it hard for libraries to replace lost printed items.As long as someone is not requesting an item that is checked out, you can renew the item for an additional two weeks. This can be done in person, by telephone, from the Library System's website or via the Library System's app.

Free tax preparation services from Volunteer Income Tax Assistance is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays at the Main Library, 151 Library Drive, Houma. Taxes are performed for free if an individual earned less than $50,000 and less than $100 in royalties.Volunteers with Catholic Charities will prepare the tax returns. You'll need proof of identification, Social Security cards and birth dates for you, your spouse and all dependents, and wage and earning statements. For Louisiana state tax credits, bring in 2012 homeowner's insurance declaration page, and receipts for school and tuition expenses.

The Library System has weekly story times available for pre-schoolers and school-aged children. Toddler time for children 19 months to 3 is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays at the Main Library. Babygarten for newborns to 18-month-olds is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesdays at the Main Library. Family story time is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Main Library.A family story time is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturdays at the East Houma Branch Library, 778 Grand Caillou Road, and Peek-a-Boo Readers story time at 10 a.m. Wednesdays. Toddler story time is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesdays at the North Terrebonne Branch Library, 4130 W. Park Ave., Gray, and family story time scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesdays. Peek-a-Boo story times are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursdays at the North Terrebonne Branch Library.Story times are also held throughout the month at the Chauvin, 5500 La. 56; Gibson, 6363 S. Bayou Black Drive; and Montegut branch libraries, 1135 La. 55. For information, call your local branches for dates and times.

The Library System has an app available for library users and digital magazines available for readers.You can access your library anytime with the myTPL app. The app allows searching for books, DVDs, audiobooks and CDs. You can also request an item and renew an item. If you see an interesting item somewhere, you can scan it and see if the Library System has it. Also included in the app is access to the e-book collection.You can also find contact information, hours and locations. The myTPL app is available for Apple, Android, Windows and Blackberry devices. Download the app by searching mytpl in your app store.

The Library System belongs to the world's largest newsstand, and now you can access it, too. You can read magazine subscriptions free online or through most handheld devices. All you need is a library card in good standing and a valid email address. Check out the user guide for easy-to-use instructions at mytpl.org/zinio. This link will also direct you to the website for registration and downloading.If you have any questions about downloading these applications, call the Library System's reference department at 876-5861, option 2.

The Library System's staff is trained to help you access e-books on your e-readers. You can go to any Terrebonne Parish library and have a staff member program your device to use the Library System's e-book collection.

It's easy to obtain a knowledge card, which is also a library card. If you are a resident of Terrebonne Parish, you can get a knowledge card. If you are enrolled in a school in Terrebonne, you are eligible for a knowledge card. Young children must be able to write their first and last names, legibly, to obtain a card. Juvenile cards are given to children 14 and under. When you are 15, you can get an adult knowledge card. The first cards are free, and replacement cards cost $5.The cards give you access to material at library facilities and also access to databases and the catalog online on the website, www.mytpl.org. Your material doesn't have to be overdue and you can order material online with your knowledge card and PIN number.

The Library System is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. With a library card in good standing, you can access services. You can renew items and request items, along with searching the catalog. If you need a book to read, you can download e-books and audiobooks. If you want new music on your MP3 player, just access Freegal. To keep up with the latest events in the Library System, check out the Library System's Facebook page or Bayou Reference Blog. All these services happen on the Library System's website, www.mytpl.org.

The library system is closed Tuesday on Mardi Gras Day. The Main Library and North Terrebonne Branch Library are open from 2 to 6 p.m. today.

Mary Cosper LeBoeuf is director of the Terrebonne Parish Library System. She can be reached at 876-5158.